I noticed that it is very popular or common where I live in the US that people often refer to the death of someone as in, "passed away" or, "she has passed" or "he passed away". Yet the Orthodox I have heard speaking use the term "Repose".

I began picking up this term and using it. Recently my Grandfather died in the hospital on 11 Dec 2008 (last week). I was with him when he took his last breath. And I was there to pray for him before and after he died. As soon as he took his last breath I put my head on his chest and heard the last heartbeat. I then said, to the others in the room, "He has reposed". They looked at me and said' "what do you mean"? I said, "he's dead".

Because my Grandfather was a Jehovah's Witness and the other 3 family members who were with me were as well, they did not pray after he died. I called my brother in law, that is Catholic and asked if he would pray for my Grandfather. He said he would pray and light a candle for him. I then went to the chapel at the hospital alone to pray there because the others would not, since he had allready died. Among the many prayers, I asked the Holy Theotokos through her intercessory prayers to help his soul. Lord may his soul rest in peace.

I have wondered about a few things here. Did I do the right thing to pray after death and to call on others that I knew would pray after his death? I was told that this helps the soul in a prejudgement? He was by all standards one who was a part of a modern day heretical group that by most standards are not Christian. However he was a decent and good person. In other words, if he was a Muslim or Buddist, would it be the same. Also why do Orthodox use the term Reposed? Where did the terms, Passed away come from?. And what is the meaning of lighting of candles? Do Orthodox light candles?

My first orthodox visit to a church is coming up this weekend and so until now this forum is the only Orthodox people contact I have. From there I will begin to seek a spiritual father to guide me but for now maybe someone can give me their viewpoints.

I noticed that it is very popular or common where I live in the US that people often refer to the death of someone as in, "passed away" or, "she has passed" or "he passed away". Yet the Orthodox I have heard speaking use the term "Repose".

I was with him when he took his last breath. And I was there to pray for him before and after he died. As soon as he took his last breath I put my head on his chest and heard the last heartbeat. I then said, to the others in the room, "He has reposed". They looked at me and said' "what do you mean"? I said, "he's dead".

Because my Grandfather was a Jehovah's Witness and the other 3 family members who were with me were as well, they did not pray after he died.

I called my brother in law, that is Catholic and asked if he would pray for my Grandfather. He said he would pray and light a candle for him. I then went to the chapel at the hospital alone to pray there because the others would not, since he had allready died. Among the many prayers, I asked the Holy Theotokos through her intercessory prayers to help his soul. Lord may his soul rest in peace.

I have wondered about a few things here. Did I do the right thing to pray after death and to call on others that I knew would pray after his death? I was told that this helps the soul in a prejudgement? He was by all standards....

Also why do Orthodox use the term Reposed? Where did the terms, Passed away come from?. And what is the meaning of lighting of candles? Do Orthodox light candles?

Christ called Himself the Light of the World. Orthodox light candles to symbolize the eternal presence of that Uncreated Light of the World. In Orthodoxy, Death signifies that the body is in rest awaiting the Final Judgment. "Passed away" is simply a colloquialism which has nothing to do with Orthodoxy and sounds better than saying "so and so died" or "so and so is deceased."

My first orthodox visit to a church is coming up this weekend and so until now this forum is the only Orthodox people contact I have. From there I will begin to seek a spiritual father to guide me but for now maybe someone can give me their viewpoints.

Since I was never a convert, all I can suggest is observe the Divine Liturgy and make mental notes for the Priest, other parishioners or anyone else. Please forgive me for suggesting that you travel to SLC in a past thread.

If you search for my posts, I mention a disfellowshipped JW who's friends with my estranged wife. I have zero tolerance for the preachings of JW's and I must endure this gentleman like Paul endured the thorn in his flesh. Ironically, my wife can't stand the teachings of JW's although she believes in Christ and does not have any denominational affiliation.

"O Cross of Christ, all-holy, thrice-blessed, and life-giving, instrument of the mystical rites of Zion, the holy Altar for the service of our Great Archpriest, the blessing - the weapon - the strength of priests, our pride, our consolation, the light in our hearts, our mind, and our steps"Met. Meletios of Nikopolis & Preveza, from his ordination.

God bless you for all your wonderful comments. Thank you. It is very touching.

Quote

Sorry for going off topic, do JW's have funeral services?

Posted by SolEx01

Yes, but they call this a Memorial Service. JW's believe that when one dies there is nothing left. They believe in annihilation. Similar to when a plant or animal or organism dies. No soul or nothing. This is why they do not pray after one dies. At the funeral, (memorial service), they remember the person only and never pray for them. They quote scriptures about the Resurrection and try to make the person look good like they served the Organization well, blah, blah. I am not going to that. I think I paid my respects to him the night he died. I tried to tell them that you can't have a resurrection without a soul, you can only have a re-creation and the Bible does not teach a re-creation.

After the funeral everyone leaves and goes over to a house and eats a large meal.

Yes, but they call this a Memorial Service. JW's believe that when one dies there is nothing left. They believe in annihilation. Similar to when a plant or animal or organism dies. No soul or nothing. This is why they do not pray after one dies. At the funeral, (memorial service), they remember the person only and never pray for them. They quote scriptures about the Resurrection and try to make the person look good like they served the Organization well, blah, blah....

After the funeral everyone leaves and goes over to a house and eats a large meal.

Yes, but they call this a Memorial Service. JW's believe that when one dies there is nothing left. They believe in annihilation. Similar to when a plant or animal or organism dies. No soul or nothing. This is why they do not pray after one dies. At the funeral, (memorial service), they remember the person only and never pray for them. They quote scriptures about the Resurrection and try to make the person look good like they served the Organization well, blah, blah. I am not going to that.

This makes me sad.

Logged

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jer 29:11

I have wondered about a few things here. Did I do the right thing to pray after death and to call on others that I knew would pray after his death? I was told that this helps the soul in a prejudgement? He was by all standards one who was a part of a modern day heretical group that by most standards are not Christian. However he was a decent and good person. In other words, if he was a Muslim or Buddist, would it be the same. Also why do Orthodox use the term Reposed? Where did the terms, Passed away come from?. And what is the meaning of lighting of candles? Do Orthodox light candles?

May your grandfather's memory be eternal!

You will find that many Orthodox churches still follow the traditional precept that liturgical prayers (the prayers of the worshiping community) can only be offered for the Orthodox communicants and catechumens who have died, but that doesn't apply to your situation. The Church encourages us faithful to offer private prayers for ALL of our relatives and friends who have died, regardless of their religious affiliation or lack thereof.